So Gunnar has always had chronic ear infections which Mordy helped me clear up with an elimination diet, pro-biotic, and blue power ear wash. He would still get them occasionally but it was much better. A few weeks ago we were really broke and I had to get him a cheap food that had beef (not knowing if it is beef or chicken that causes his issues). As soon as I could I got him back on TOTW Salmon which was about a week and a half ago. I noticed he was pretty itchy a few weeks ago and thought maybe it was the food. Checked him for fleas and didn't see anything unusual on his skin, he was not shedding more than normal and appeared ok. Then on Thursday morning I found that his rear hindquarters had some sticky hair. Upon further inspection it appeared he had been chewing and had some sticky pus coming out of some sores on his bum. I cut the hair down, gave him a bath with tea tree oil, aloe, and chamomile shampoo, leaving it on for a bit, then when he was dried I put on some tea tree oil and aloe medicine, a few squirts of hydrocotison, and some colloidal silver wound spray. I also put the e-collar on. I also gave him some benadryl which had no effect on his itchiness.

I have kept this regime up (except the benadryl) and he has a vet appt on Wed. It is getting worse and the spot is getting bigger. I admit I do take the e-collar off occasionally because he is so miserable with it on, he is just so itchy. I thought it was just a hot-spot from the poor food but now I am not sure as nothing seems to be giving him any relief. Any further ideas would be greatly appreciated to help him out until his vet visit.

Excuse the cutting job, I didn't have any clippers and was scared to clip it anyways, I didn't want to hurt him.

Here is another small spot located on his side, other than these two spots it hasn't spread although he is very touchy on his hind flanks too.

ouchie--poor boy! I had a dog who had allergies and had reactions like that--took awhile to get her free of her triggers. Often she required meds from the vet to get it under control--can't remember what we gave her though. Sorry I am not much help. But I hope it subsides quickly for the poor guy.

Oh the poor boy! I hate hotspots. If at all possible shave the areas where they are forming, or cut the fur as short as possible to prevent it from getting stuck in the hotspots. I would skip the vinegar personally, it stings and why cause more irritation to an area that is already bothering him. Another alternative to vinegar is withhazel and it won't irritate as much.You want the hotspot to dry up as fast as possible, so do not put aloe or any other ointment on them that will keep them moist.

As miserable as he his with the e collar on it will help the spots heal faster. Even if he chews at them for a moment it can set the heal time back to the beginning. How much benedryl are you giving him? I'm sure you already know, but in dogs the safe amount is 1mg per lb of dog. The doseage is higher in dogs than humans and should give some moderate relief. Hopefully they will heal quickly, for both you and him!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I went and got clippers today and shaved the area down more. I also gave him 75mg of benadryl. Still waiting to get the witch hazel, it was seven bucks at walgreens, I am gonna check the dollar store.

I am also running to petco to grab a pro collar inflatable collar for him so maybe I won't feel so bad about him wearing it. It got ok reviews and if it doesn't work then I can return it. Sucks that it costs $37.